Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has historically been managed by radical nephrectomy (RN). The wide spread availability and use of imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has lead to early diagnosis and stage migration of RCC. Currently most lesions are diagnosed as incidental small renal masses (SRM). SRMs are defined as solid renal tumors that enhance on CT and MRI and are suspected of being renal cell carcinomas. They are generally low-stage and relatively small (d < 4 cm or cT1a) at presentation [1].